Why so few???

cb51 · Jan 21, 2018

I was very surprised to learn that only about 3.5% of Texans have bothered to get a license to carry for a gun. As a political refugee from the people's Republik Of Maryland, where for most my life in and around Washington D.C. there was zero possibility of practicing my 2d amendment rights, I find this really strange. I'd have thought that here in Texas, everyone who could won;d have a carry license.

Why?

Maybe I'm just giddy from the new found freedom as a new adopted Texan, but it has come to seem so natural to get up in morning, put on pants, put gun in pocket of said pants, that I can't imagine not doing it if I were allowed.

jmohme · Jan 21, 2018

I didnt have one for quite some time.
Without it I could still legally defend my home and property. I could also carry in my personal vehicles, so I held off putting my name on yet another Government list.
Then one day when I opened my eyes and came to the realization that the world had gone mad! Took the class, qualified, got fingerprinted and sent the state money. Both the wife and I have been carrying ever since.

I think the real turning point was losing our home to wildfires and watching the human trash cruising through our area looking for things to loot while hard working people were trying to rebuild and get their lives back.
I had always had guns as a hobby, but it took on a more serous note during those days.

grasshopperglock · Jan 21, 2018

Don't go by numbers. Growing up it was known people would carry. You'd always be surprised what an older gentleman would pull out his pocket. Ladies kept it in their purse.

It was and still is a private affair. Kinda like what's in your wallet. The most polite people were and are strapped. Don't believe the 'published' numbers. We celebrate our rights just fine...

qwiksdraw · Jan 21, 2018

It is natural and normal for people to think that because something bad has't happened, it likely will not happen. It is called normacly bias.

But there's more to it than that, sou you might find this article helpful;

http://recoiljunkie.com/normalcy-bias-can-be-a-deadly-deception/

Charlie · Jan 21, 2018

grasshopperglock said:
Don't go by numbers. Growing up it was known people would carry. You'd always be surprised what an older gentleman would pull out his pocket. Ladies kept it in their purse.

It was and still is a private affair. Kinda like what's in your wallet. The most polite people were and are strapped. Don't believe the 'published' numbers. We celebrate our rights just fine...

Absolutely correct! It's a shame we have to pay the govt. to exercise our rights.

Southpaw · Jan 21, 2018

There are many who carry on an out of state license that isn't included in the 3.5%.

LOCKHART · Jan 21, 2018

I'm 72, going on 73, and I've carried since I was in my early 20's. I've always took the 2nd amendment at face value, and never believed the government had any right to tell me when I could defend myself or my families lives. I was never "caught", but I really didn't care. Just another form of insurance I had to pay for. I didn't get " legal" until 1999, 2 years after CHL law was passed in Texas. Sometimes you just have to do what you have to do.

DwnRange · Jan 21, 2018

https://www.gunstocarry.com/concealed-carry-statistics/

FWIW - says 5.84% at link above......

Charlie · Jan 21, 2018

I'd be willing to bet there are a hell of a lot of folks carrying without a license than there are those with a license. I'm in Lockhart's group and when I was growing up, it seemed like everyone we knew could put there hands on a gun in less than a minute.

Kar98 · Jan 21, 2018

There are tons of people carrying, gov permit or not.

grasshopperglock · Jan 21, 2018

Charlie said:
I'd be willing to bet there are a hell of a lot of folks carrying without a license than there are those with a license. I'm in Lockhart's group and when I was growing up, it seemed like everyone we knew could put there hands on a gun in less than a minute.

Seeing how Western Auto and JC Penny's sold guns. It was easy.

majormadmax · Jan 21, 2018

Charlie said:
I'd be willing to bet there are a hell of a lot of folks carrying without a license than there are those with a license. I'm in Lockhart's group and when I was growing up, it seemed like everyone we knew could put there hands on a gun in less than a minute.

Well, the good part about carrying without a LTC/CHL is you're not bothered by those pesky 30.06 signs! :clown:

grasshopperglock · Jan 21, 2018

I bought a no guns allowed sticker and stuck it on my front door. White sticker with a red circle and slash on top a silhouette, of what looks like a Beretta. Paid $3 for it from Lowe's.

You'd think the house is a gun free zone and I'm a liberal. The only gun free/liberal thing about it is the sticker.

Best $3 bucks I've spent.

Kar98 · Jan 21, 2018

I'm not sure putting out bait is legal.

avvidclif · Jan 21, 2018

Yep, hunting over a baited hole is illegal in Texas.

For 21 yrs I had to carry, every time I left the house. Now it's an option and I like it better that way.

Saw a picture some time back and now can't find it. Guy had a deer blind set up at the corner of the house and a flat screen TV at the end of the driveway. Baited hole...

Dawico · Jan 21, 2018

grasshopperglock said:
I bought a no guns allowed sticker and stuck it on my front door. White sticker with a red circle and slash on top a silhouette, of what looks like a Beretta. Paid $3 for it from Lowe's.

You'd think the house is a gun free zone and I'm a liberal. The only gun free/liberal thing about it is the sticker.

Best $3 bucks I've spent.

So you made yourself a target for crime.

Not sure that is a great idea.

Dawico · Jan 21, 2018

jmohme said:
I didnt have one for quite some time.
Without it I could still legally defend my home and property. I could also carry in my personal vehicles, so I held off putting my name on yet another Government list.
Then one day when I opened my eyes and came to the realization that the world had gone mad! Took the class, qualified, got fingerprinted and sent the state money. Both the wife and I have been carrying ever since.

I think the real turning point was losing our home to wildfires and watching the human trash cruising through our area looking for things to loot while hard working people were trying to rebuild and get their lives back.
I had always had guns as a hobby, but it took on a more serous note during those days.

This is my thinking on the numbers.

We can carry in our vehicles and homes. That covers a majority of most people's day.

grasshopperglock · Jan 21, 2018

Dawico said:
So you made yourself a target for crime.

Not sure that is a great idea.

If you're close enough to read the sticker. The target isn't me.

RevolverGuy · Jan 21, 2018

I seem to recall reading an article by John Lott that licensing rates trend according to cost, and Texas has one of the higher application fees.

LOCKHART · Jan 21, 2018

I think I paid 100 dollars the first time in 1999, and 125.00 to my instructor. The last time I renewed it was 45.00, and no shooting or finger prints required. All done by mail.

Why so few???

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